CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A former WVU associate professor pleaded guilty Thursday to a pair of federal criminal charges in connection with his travel to China.
U.S. Attorney Bill Powell said Dr. Qingyun Sun, 58, of Morgantown, admitted to defrauding WVU and filing a false tax return. The guilty pleas were entered as part of a federal information agreement with prosecutors.
Sun, a Chinese National, worked for WVU as an associate professor. He was also the associate director of the United States-China Energy Center at WVU. He also had ties to the West Virginia Development Office. Sun also had several private ventures.
Former West Virginia University professor pleads guilty to wire fraud and tax fraud after @FBIPittsburgh and @IRS_CI investigation.|https://t.co/cEUAlqR8uH
— NDWVnews (@NDWVnews) July 23, 2020
Powell said during a 2015 trip to China on behalf of WVU and the state, Sun over billed for expenses. He also lied about expenses on his federal tax return in 2014 and lied about his business interests in China.
Sun faces a maximum of 23 years in prison and fines of up to $500,000. He has agreed to pay restitution to WVU in the amount of $6,233.12
Sun will be sentenced later this year.